Solar PV Analysis of Liberty Lake, United States
Liberty Lake, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. While the location offers decent potential for solar power, there are significant seasonal variations that impact its overall effectiveness.
Seasonal Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Liberty Lake, with an impressive output of 7.36 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.74 kWh per day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 3.01 kWh and 1.27 kWh per day, respectively.
These figures highlight the substantial difference between the peak summer production and the minimal winter output, with summer generating nearly six times more energy than winter. This variation is primarily due to the region's northern latitude, which results in shorter days and lower sun angles during the colder months.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Liberty Lake, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.
Environmental Factors
While Liberty Lake's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors that could impact production:
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency, requiring occasional clearing.
- The region experiences some cloudy days, particularly in late autumn and winter, which can decrease solar output.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance and cleaning, especially after snowfall, can help maintain optimal performance.
Conclusion
Overall, Liberty Lake offers good potential for solar energy generation, especially during spring and summer. While the winter months present challenges, proper panel placement and maintenance can help maximize year-round production. The significant seasonal variations suggest that a hybrid energy system or energy storage solutions might be beneficial to ensure consistent power supply throughout the year.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Liberty Lake
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.645, Longitude: -117.0778 (Liberty Lake, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 39° South in Liberty Lake, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Liberty Lake, United States (Lat/Long 47.645, -117.0778) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Liberty Lake, United States
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Liberty Lake, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 62° South in Winter | 40° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Liberty Lake, United States
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Liberty Lake, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Liberty Lake, United States
The topography around Liberty Lake, located in eastern Washington state, is characterized by a mix of gentle slopes and more rugged terrain. The area is situated in the Spokane Valley, which is part of the larger Columbia Plateau region. Liberty Lake itself sits at an elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level.
To the north and east of Liberty Lake, the land gradually rises into the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains. These hills become progressively steeper and more forested as you move further from the lake. To the south, the terrain is generally flatter, with rolling hills and open grasslands that extend towards the Palouse region.
The western side of Liberty Lake features a mix of residential areas and some remaining agricultural land, with the terrain gently sloping towards the Spokane River valley. The lake itself is surrounded by a combination of wetlands, parks, and developed areas.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Liberty Lake would likely be found to the south and southwest of the lake. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy production:
The relatively flat or gently rolling terrain in these areas would make construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective. The open grasslands and agricultural fields provide ample space for large installations without the need for extensive land clearing.
Additionally, these areas receive more direct sunlight throughout the day due to their southern exposure and lack of significant geographical obstructions. The climate in this region is also favorable, with many clear, sunny days throughout the year, particularly during the summer months.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider factors beyond just topography, such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts. Detailed site assessments and feasibility studies would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations for such installations.
United States solar PV Stats as a country
United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 19th of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
